Luna walked into the foundry the day after the changelings had their fun. She'd heard about the odd changes they'd all found with Seven afterwards, how the shell in that section seemed more open now. It was an interesting turn of events and she found herself wondering what Crystal would look at act like after her own growth.

Walking through a section of wall that had recently been reshaped to give access to a new room, one that was currently sweltering in spite of the ventilation Max had demanded be put in place, Luna took a moment to admire the forges. Three medium-sized furnaces were currently all running, tended to by the team that had been running the single forge a while ago. All three had turned out perfect for the job and now that they had some experience they could each handle a forge on their own if needed. As it stood though, all three worked together to keep the smelters running, pouring out the liquid metal into empty molds, adding more fuel to the fires, or adding more chunks of various metals that needed smelting.
In the far end of this new courtyard sat the fruits of their labor, a pile of metal ingots sorted by metal type that in the case of titanium was currently numbering...thirty bars? It was likely more, but the other occupant of the room was hard at work with the results of their efforts, currently hammering a bar of titanium while her other hoof was giving off a faint glow.

Watching the mare work, Luna was captivated. Temper was absorbed in her work, striking here and there before returning the metal to the fire of her own forging pit, bringing out another bar and working that one until it cooled. She had several items in development at her forge, from a sword to a hoof-shovel to a hoof-claw and even a rear-leg mounted pick.

It was apparently how ponies were supposed to mine. The front legs would be equipped with either shovels or claws while a rear leg would have a pick mounted to the worker's hoof. They'd dig and scratch their way through most softer materials and buck against the stronger ones.

'But now we have two races built for digging,' she mused, noting that another metal piece appeared to be a blade. It was fairly simple though, and hadn't been sharpened yet.

Max had mentioned something about different ways to build a grindstone for sharpening the blades. One was a water-powered device, using large paddles so that the force from the river could be directed and used to spin the wheel. Another used pedals to spin the stone. They were all much more efficient than the ones she saw in Silverblood's Keep, flat whet stones being used to sharpen a single blade, sometimes taking the workingpony an hour to sharpen a single side of the weapon. With the stone moving, all one had to do was adjust the blade accordingly and press it to the stone.
'Not that I am an expert smith,' she thought with a small smile. It was likely much more complicated than either of them realized, but he swore he'd seen those sort of things before. Afterwards he'd suggested using the nearby river for a mill since the air was too calm for a windmill.

Equestria hadn't seen a mill since before Discord's rampage began.

Temper finally noticed the alicorn and squeaked in surprise.
"Your Highness! What- I mean, how may I help you, your Majesty?"

"I am merely seeing that progress is being made, Temper. Celestia and I relied on the nobles to do so for a long while and only now we're alerted to the lack of progress. So as Max had said, 'if you wish for something to be done right you must do it yourself.' If I wish to confirm that things are progressing, I must make certain to check on progress every now and again. How are you fairing? I am certain this has been a change for you."

"A pleasant change your Grace. I have always enjoyed this work but it was not possible to find this sort of work back at Silverblood Keep. I also did not know how to travel, and there would be no guarantee that I would find enough work to support myself..."

"I have seen no place where an earth pony is not wanted. At the least, a mare like yourself should be able to feed herself with no issue."

Temper winced at her statement.
"I've killed grass, your Majesty. I can work metal and stone with ease and love doing so, but please do not ask me to farm. Nopony deserves to clean up my attempts at such things."

The alicorn giggled at that.
"Truly? An earth pony unable to farm? But it is in your blood. Perhaps you do not have the proper flow of magic."

At the smaller mare's confusion, Luna frowned.
"You are aware that earth ponies oft use magic to aid them in farming correct? That you use it even now? It is why titanium is so easy for ponies to mold. To a good earth pony smith it may as well be clay. Starswirl once even told me a master of metals could work Titanium without a fire."

"I, I do not understand your majesty. I do not know magic, just how to-"

"Do not sell yourself short, Temper," Luna said, cutting her off. "I have asked about this at the Keep after Maximus alerted us to his choice. I was certain the Smith would be a unicorn but Lady Copper Road was emphatic that the best smith she'd ever seen was an earth pony. The fact Max chose you over Strike's apprentice also speaks well for you. He believes you to have the proper attitude and that your attitude is worth more than a completed apprenticeship. That willingness to work on what we need is more important than skill at this point, and I find myself in full agreement.

Temper's ears dropped and Luna giggled.

"I do not mean to disparage your skills, Temper, but you know it to be true. You will improve. But the other apprentice finished his studies. He was more experienced. We could not have use him though. What do you think he would have said to creating simple blades and tools?"

Temper nodded.
"He would have laughed at you. I know that because that was why his smithy didn't last. Somepony asked him to repair a pick and he yelled at them. A guard asked him to sharpen a blade and he threw the stallion out. He just..."

"He refused to lower himself, or do things below his level of skill. Max told me about it. He said that the stallion was still refusing work that was below him even as he sat in the ruins of his home. We do not need that. We need a pony willing to do the job. That is a hundred times more useful than a master craftspony that refuses to make bolts.
"Have you seen Maximus' plans for a grindstone? What are your thoughts on it?"

"I'm afraid I never saw anything like it before, Princess. I don't know-"

"I asked if you thought it would work, Temper. I shall not hold you to your word or take your agreement as a professional endorsement in it, I am merely looking for a second opinion before putting resources to their construction.
"It is one of several things I would like to see built, so the questions become not what I would like but what is most needed, what would bring the most benefit, and what do we have the skills, resources, and time to construct."

The blue alicorn couldn't help but chuckle at the look of confusion that rolled over the smith's face.
"Do not be too concerned about such things. All I wish to know from you is if you believe the pedal-powered grindstone would work better."
The lunar mare's smile dropped slightly at the look of embarrassment that came over the smith.
"Have you never sharpened a blade?"

"N-no your majesty. My lessons did not get that far."

"Very well," Luna said, turning to the changeling working one of the forges. "Ember, I would like word to be passed to the knights. Ask that a pony with experience sharpening different sorts of blades come to the smithy. It shall be their place of duty until further notice. I shall verify this with Shimmering at dinner tonight. Turning back to Temper, Luna's smile returned.
"On that same note, ask a servingmare for a bath and a proper brushing. I wish for you to be present at dinner tonight. While you may not understand the full importance of the meeting, we may have questions for you after the meal when we are discussing future plans."

Temper stared as Princess Luna walked away. A dinner with the royalty? She didn't know how to act with nobles, much less royalty! Oh, she was going to mess this up so bad she'd end up fed to one of those-

"Calm down, Temper," one of the forge workers said, seeing her expression.

"Calm? I don't remember the last time somepony invited me to dinner and that was a princess! I'm going to-"

"Hey Ember, you said the big male bug-guy was nice, right? Do you think he'd help her out?"

Temper watched the bug-thing cock it's head while staring at a wall. After a few moments she nodded, then shook her head. At Temper's questioning stare, the first stallion just chuckled.

"It's weird, but the bugs can talk to each other even if they're not in the same room. Some ponies have started to take advantage of it, but the leader-bugs have asked we keep it to important things. Otherwise the hive thing starts getting too loud. too much information flying around."

"I reckon this is important enough. And if it isn't, he'll just say so. Nopony's abused it enough to anger the bigger bugs so we should be fine."

The changeling buzzed her wings and fluttered over to the small group.
"Lord Maximus would be happy to instruct you. He said that he plans on teaching another as well. Once you are finished with your current projects, please report to the maid-quarters. They will make you presentable, and Lord Maximus shall instruct you and your fellow student in proper etiquette."

Max was grinning as Temper walked into the dining room. She was radiating nervousness in such large amounts that he was surprised the mare wasn't shaking. That being said, she was at least showing up. Crystal as currently on the way with Seven, the second one that was being taught a bit of manners for this evening. It would be the first dinner involving the nobles that Queen Seven was to be appearing in and he'd be damned if he was going to let a mare who just reached the pinnacle of her species skip out on it.

"Hello Temper. Please stay there, Crystal's bringing the second in a moment."

Max heard the shouting long before the door opened, but eventually the door was pushed open and Seven was shoved in, all while shouting various expletives at the taller mare.

'She's a bit taller now, though. Another molt and she'll pass Crystal.'

"Seven? I know you don't like this, but I also know you're aware of your current position. I'm not going to demand you do this, but I need you to understand you may have to do this in the future. Would you rather make these mistakes around us, or during your first attempts at diplomacy?"

"I do not need to use this, I can-"

"Don't lie to me, and don't lie to yourself," Max said. "You know how well this is working. To keep having access to this amount of energy you need to learn how to interact with ponies. Even basic interactions are considered diplomacy on some level. Now would you rather keep this simple way of life or go back to what Mother preferred?"

"Um, I'm sorry but what's going on?"

"This is Queen Seven. She recently went from a proto-queen to a full fledged queen, and we hope the most recent clutch of eggs is a sapient batch, unlike the last few. If she ever hopes to create her own hive though, she'd have to interact with others. Something Mother never taught any of the proto queens under her rule. After all, why would they need to know diplomacy when Mother ruled everything."

"And this, Mother pony?" Temper asked.

"Mother was queen of the Hive, the biggest changeling hive and possible the only one at that time. Discord managed to shatter it and with it, Mother's power. While attempting to drive him off, Mother used all the energy she could, which for changelings is very dangerous. Our energy is our lifeblood. She kept going though, pulling energy from other changelings that were in her hive. Let's leave that for later, and be glad she's likely dead. She was not a nice person."

Moving to the table, Max put out a few plates at the table. He then took a seat at the head of the table.

"First things first. Your seat. If you're not certain where to sit, wait for someone to offer you a seat. Since you are a guest, it's completely fine to wait for that. If you come into a room and try to take a seat next to say, Celestia, and she wants someone else to sit there, you'll embarrass yourself. She'll ask you to move, likely after most of the guests have arrived. Taking a seat like that is rude both to the host and to the other guests and shows arrogance. Not a good first impression."

Max marked a few plates by putting small plates to correspond with a few of the cushions.

"These are usually taken by Celestia, Luna, Crystal and myself. These positions over here are taken by Lady Redstreak, Lady Sapphire, and Lord Shimmering Barricade. There are a few other nobles that are still hanging on to their positions, but otherwise it's become a bit quieter here."

Seven looked at the unmarked positions in irritation.

"So I am expected to take one of the lesser positions?"

"You're an unknown at best, Seven. At worst, you previously attacked me, as Shimmering Barricade is aware of. What would it say about him if we had you sit at a higher position at the table? A stallion that has been loyal the entire time?"

Seven slumped, pouting. She grumbled a bit but otherwise nodded and moved to a seat. Temper did as well, sitting on the opposite side of the table from the larger mare.

"Now the next issue you're likely to run into is forms of address. Most of the ponies that you'll see are nobility of some sort or another, and while you don't need to use their formal title at all times, avoid insults unless you know them. Trust me on this one, it's from experience. I insulted a mare and ended up having her challenge me to a duel. Most of the remaining nobles wont do that, but keep in mind that some of them are extremely petty. Yes Seven, more petty than you can be. I don't doubt that."

"There are things about the different utensils and such but that's not too important in this setting. Don't worry about that. Best thing you two can do until you become comfortable in this sort of scenario is to remain calm, ask questions if you have them, and just watch others."

"I, is there anything I will be required to do?" Temper asked.

"For this dinner? Not really. There may be some questions, and Luna will be asking Shimmering to supply you with a knight who knows how to properly sharpen a blade, but otherwise you're just making an appearance. It's for our benefit more than your own, as this way the nobles know who the new smith is."
"That's really all you two need to know. Just try the food, don't gorge yourself, mind your p's and q's, and do your best to remain calm. Seven, you're lucky here. If you have a question, you can ask me. Temper, if you don't know the answer, just say so. I had Crystal look at the forge room and it already looks better, so your position isn't in danger. I promise."

"P's and q's?" Temper asked.

"Say please, thank you, your welcome, could you please pass the biscuits, things like that. Be nice. I know some of them won't be; even though Redstreak is better than most she'll get a little petty when she's talking down to someone of lesser 'breeding'."

"Talk down to me and I'll rip their throats out," the queen growled, causing Temper to cower.

Max just sighed. This would be a test alright. And not just for Temper and Seven.

Thankfully there wasn't too much to worry about at the meal. While that didn't keep Temper from looking like she was in a room full of rabid dogs, it did mean she didn't have to worry about being viciously torn into for lack of manners. The same went for Seven as well.
Not that anyone would have spoken to her if Celestia and Luna hadn't initiated a few conversations with the uncomfortable mare. Seven looked like she was liable to bite anyone who even looked at her funny.

On the whole though, the dinner was a success. Elbows were rubbed, plans were made, and the new blacksmith was introduced. Shimmering was ecstatic, looking forward to getting a few blades replaced while others would need to be repaired. The learning curve Temper was looking at was steep, but considering her knowledge of metals and how to work them it was only a matter of experience. Not saying much when she had a mark of tongs and a hammer.

Luna also mentioned a few bandits that had been attempting to gain a foothold in the area and that they had likely been survivors from Copper Road Keep. They were quickly shown the error of their ways when she stormed their brand new camp with about forty knights.

"You did well, Seven," Max said afterwards, having pulled both the queen and Temper aside to speak to them in the private dining room. "A little unapproachable but I think that's what you wanted. It can be nerve wracking though, so I don't blame you. If you have any questions you can always ask. If not myself, than Celestia."
"As for you, young mare," he sniffed haughtily, looking down his noise at the still shaking smith. "You did fine. Relax, Temper. It's over. Go ask for some wine or something to calm your nerves and get some sleep. The forges and smithy will still be there in the morning."

He grinned as she jumped just before reaching the door, Luna, Crystal and Celestia walking in before she could escape. She squeaked in surprise and darted around the others, leaving the changelings and the alicorns alone in the dining room. The beings quickly took their spots at the table, pouring drinks and passing them around.

"That went better than I expected," Luna said.

"I still think that it was a bad idea," the white mare disagreed.

"We need to get everyone used to each other, unfortunately," Max explained. "Seven needs to learn to be more comfortable around those who can be just as volatile as she can."
"I'm right here," Seven growled.
"As for Temper, well-"

"If she does well, the Royal Smith could be a lifetime position, a Knighthood or even an elevation to nobility," Luna said.
At Celestia's look of surprise, the Lunar alicorn giggled.
"It was something I discussed with Maximus. While I will not do so now, once we are well established we will have the ability to name nobles and give titles. It comes with being princesses."

Celestia hummed, looking to her drink thoughtfully. Taking a sip of water, she nodded.
"I suppose it makes sense. I had actually forgotten about that. By the stars, titles were given as rewards for deeds done. Between the forge, the well, planning the wall, and helping us with the farms, there would be no reason not to grant Maximus such a title."

"I do not remember, are we allowed to give specific titles or are they merely general titles of nobility?"

Max rolled his eyes.
"No Luna, you can't name me 'Royal fuck-toy.' That's an abuse of power."

"Fie, where has your sense of humor gone?"

"Oh, it would be funny," Max chuckled. "But after the fifth year I think I'd be done laughing."

Luna's smile dropped at the statement.
"Oh. Those are permanent, aren't they?"

Even as Luna blushed in embarrassment, Crystal, Seven, and even Celestia broke into giggles or laughter.

"You would be six hundred years old and still carrying the title 'Royal Fuck-toy," Crystal howled, falling off of her cushion.

"Consort's fine with me unless there's some rules I' not aware of. Member of Luna's Flock is fine too," Max said at length, taking a sip of his tea. "It's been my pleasure to help, especially considering all you've done for me, Luna. I could spend a century doing everything I can to help and I still wouldn't be close to repaying you for saving me when I first arrived."

"We saved each other, Maximus. Do not forget that," she replied. "I was...I was considering the same course Tia was taking, only I wouldn't have used the Elements of Harmony. There's no telling the damage I could have done to myself."

"I suggest a movie night!" Crystal said. "We can try some new kinky stuff tomorrow."

"I suppose I can wait," Luna huffed.

Max chuckled at Luna's feigned disappointment.
"Any requests? Adventure, horror, comedy, romance..."

"Funny."
"Adventure."
"I wouldn't mind seeing a battle."

"I want to see humans this time," Seven said, drawing looks of surprise from the rest of the table.

The stallion nodded.
"Alright, I'll think about it during the bath. Warm bath, then a movie in the dream-hive. Sounds like a plan."

He jokingly put his hoof towards the center of the table and immediately Luna and Crystal placed their own hooves over his. It took a little, but Celestia was soon pressured into joining leaving only one remaining.

"Come on, Seven."
"Join us Sev, it is your destiny!"
"If I am able to suffer through this, so can you."

With a final growl, Seven placed her own hoof on the top of the pile.

"Luna stinks on three, one-two-three-Luna-stinks!"

"Maximus!"

He was out the door before Luna made it across the table to him, tearing down the hallways towards the bathing room. With the thundering hoof-falls of an irate princess behind him, only one thing was on his mind.
'It's good to be home.'

Author's Notes:

We need to bring this word back into modern use. Fie is awesome. I love using it.

On another note, I had someone asking me why I was using odd metals. The truth is I read somewhere that the royal guard used gold because iron is both extremely rare and going by old fairy tales, it's nasty against any magic user. Thus not only would it be hard to work with if every time a smith touched it they'd be burned, but who would use a tool that you need special protective items to use? Therefore you will be seeing more fantasy-based metals. Iron is super-rare and would be a god-slayer, or in this case an alicorn-slayer, but you wouldn't see billy-bob-pone down manestreet using an iron hammer to fix his roof.